The conservative purchasing director Mayor Tom Henry dismissed last year returned to city government on Tuesday.

Jim Howard, who was released as purchasing director soon after Henry won reelection, attended this week’s City Council meeting as a new associate of Joe Bonahoom, the council’s attorney. Bonahoom said Howard will be filling in for him on the occasions he can’t make a meeting.

Howard served as vice president of Allen County Right to Life and in 2008 sought a seat on the County Council but lost in the Republican primary.

While the hiring of Howard might seem political or odd, Bonahoom said Howard was simply the best candidate for the position, noting his vast knowledge of city government and policies.

Howard, who previously worked as an associate city attorney, said he is excited to come back and has no hard feelings about what occurred last year. He said he’s got to earn money for his family and plans to be as helpful as possible when called upon.

“Frankly, I want to see the city people succeed,” he said.

Historically, Bonahoom has missed very few meetings, so Howard likely would only have to fill in sporadically.